White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who has cancer, says he will leave his job before the end of President Bush’s term because his $168,000 salary is not enough for his family. “I’ve already made it clear I’m not going to be able to go the distance, but that’s primarily for financial reasons,” Snow told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt Wednesday evening.
“I’ve told people when my money runs out, then I’ve got to go.”
Snow, who has three children and homes in Washington and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, took a significant pay cut when he accepted the job of press secretary in April 2006. He previously worked at Fox News Channel as a TV and radio broadcaster.
Snow survived colon cancer in early 2005, but the disease returned in March of this year, forcing the spokesman to undergo chemotherapy. Although he has lost weight and his hair has thinned and grayed, Snow has remained on the job.
The spokesman declined to say exactly when he will leave the White House, where Bush still has 17 months remaining in his term.
News of Snow’s planned departure comes on the heels of White House strategist Karl Rove’s announcement Monday that he will leave at the end of the month. White House Counselor Dan Bartlett resigned last month.
White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has told staffers who are thinking of leaving to do so before Labor Day or plan on sticking with the president to the end in order to minimize disruption.
“There are probably a couple coming up in the next month or so,” Snow said of other staff resignations. “But I will let others make their announcements.”
